Rizal redux

MANILA, Philippines - Without a doubt the National Hero would be quite thrilled with the way his birthday will be celebrated this year.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) announced the various efforts to commemorate Jose Rizal’s sesquicentennial. According to NHCP chairperson Maria Serena Diokno, “NHCP aims to inspire a rereading of his life, a little beyond what we have learned in our required Rizal courses in high school and college.”

Throughout the year, diverse activities have been lined up by the NHCP together with different institutions, civic organizations and universities to honor our country’s globally recognized hero. One cannot help but feel excited as one goes through the list of a multitude of events, which according to Diokno is only the tip of the iceberg since there are still other endeavors being organized by civic-minded groups and individuals.

Whatever your status, interest or preoccupation, there is something to stimulate your sense of pride. 

Sealed With Heroism

A Rizal stamp designed by Heinritzh Sales from Team Manila. The aim of the faceless profile is for us to reflect on who Rizal really is and what he has done for our country.

In partnership with the Philippine Postal Corporation (PPC), the winners of the “150th Birth Anniversary of Jose Rizal Postage Stamp Design Contest” were unveiled. In the student category, Lex Kempo Lacar, Deanne Fernandez and Marc Aran Reyes, all from the Far Eastern University (FEU), won the top prizes. Heinritzh Sales and Ramon Vismonte, both from Team Manila, were declared winners for the open category.

Walking In His Footstep

Travel bugs are also in for a treat with the “Lakbay Jose Rizal @150” spearheaded by the Department of Tourism (DOT). The heritage trail, which includes his prison cell at Fort Santiago, Manila, the Rizal Shrine in Calamba City, Laguna and the Rizal Shrine and Waterworks of Rizal in Barangay Talisay, Dapitan City, will enable you to experience firsthand the significant locations for Rizal. Visitors will be furnished with passport stamps for every Rizal site or destination.

Rock For Rizal

A Rizal stamp designed by FEU’s Marc Aran Reyes. The artist wanted to show Rizal standing with a dove beside him symbolizing Rizal’s aspiration for freedom.

Ely Buendia, Sandwich, Gloc-9, Ebe Dancel, Jett Pangan, Peryodiko, Hijo, Aiza Seguerra and Radioactive Sago Project will participate in the creation of an album to celebrate the milestones of our hero’s life. “The songs will cover the life and works of Jose Rizal, but it will focus more on his ideas, and how they can move us forward today,” says Pepe Diokno, executive director of Rock Ed Philippines, filmmaker and STAR columnist. Rock Ed, in partnership with the NHCP, is producing the album and will organize a concert with these bands come September.

Universally Yours

Lectures, conferences and seminars are scheduled in universities all over the country, not to mention zarzuelas, musicales, film showings and theatrical plays. Rizal being a universally recognized personality, there are also a number of planned activities abroad. Indeed, all these are geared to make history much more interesting. They try to capture the multi-faceted life that Rizal had, whether as a romantic, an intellectual, an artist or a scientist.

Up to the present Rizal’s literary masterpieces are enduring, still continuing to resonate in our contemporary affairs. According to the NHCP chairperson, “Jose Rizal wrote his pieces at a time of turmoil and it played a critical role in what it meant to be a Filipino.” Diokno further states that “Rizal belongs to the young.” It is apparent where NHCP’s efforts are focused, the Filipino youth, and with good reason because the future will be in their hands. 

Rizal can teach our youth a thing or two in terms of nationhood, love of country and hope. Being our heirs apparent, they must be directed to a deeper understanding of our past in order to correct distorted perceptions, not to mention be more equipped to handle the future. One hundred fifty years after, this is as good a time as any to soberly reevaluate history. Questions and queries now beg to be answered and clarified for a proper understanding of the events that transpired. This is not to diminish the man or to reduce the weight of his contributions. Realizations must be made from his limitations and weaknesses as well, for Jose Rizal was a product of his society after all. Such an awareness can only push patriotism and nationalism at the forefront.

The Rizal@150 logo designed by Team Manila was unveiled last December to mark the beginning of the yearlong celebration of Rizal’s 150th birth anniversary.

 If we as a people are ever to achieve a real sense of nationhood, it must be hinged on a firm knowledge of our history. 

That’s the challenge.